Position Management

Classification Description

A classification description groups jobs together that have similar functions and responsibilities; and also places jobs into the appropriate job family. Classification descriptions are available at http://hr.nmsu.edu/psnclsdsc/psnclslst.php.

Position Description

A position description may be customized to include specific duties associated with a job. These specific duties allow the candidate/employee to better understand his/her individual job duties.

Below are some brief descriptions of the position management options available to administrators. For the details and the process of each, please refer to the Compensation Guidelines or work through your HR Liaison for questions regarding nonexempt positions.

Position Establishment of a New Position

A new position may be created when there is a new function to perform, because workload has been increased, because there is a need to restructure the work of the organization; or because additional funding has been identified to create a position to meet a priority need.

Vacant Position Elimination

When it has been determined that the duties assigned to a vacant position are no longer needed or can be performed by existing positions, the position may be eliminated as a cost reduction strategy or to use position funds on other personnel actions.

Reclassification Types:

Vacant Position Reclassifications

When an employee vacates a position, the same classification is typically posted to replace the vacancy. If, however, the department has recognized a need to significantly modify the position duties a reclassification request should be submitted prior to posting the position.

Filled Position Reclassifications

An employee’s duties should be reviewed if the majority (over 50%) of its current primary duties and responsibilities are substantially and demonstrably different from those listed in the current classification description or when the department has recognized a need to significantly modify the position.

Reclassifications – Salary Adjustments

Employees in positions reclassified to a higher or same level position may or may not be entitled to a pay increase depending on their experience and education related to the new classification. Employees in a position reclassified to a lower level shall not be entitled to a pay increase.

Position Change Requests for Staff: Requests involving creation of new positions or reclassification of existing positions (filled or vacant) are conducted through PeopleAdmin. Requests funded from unrestricted funds are reviewed annually in conjunction with the university annual budget review process.

Classification Appeal: Classification determinations (reclassification filled/vacant and new position request) may be appealed by submitting the Classification Appeal Form. Please review the Exempt Staff Compensation Guidelines for additional information.

Notification to Employee: College/Divisions are notified of classification determinations (reclassification filled/vacant and new position request) at the conclusion of Human Resource Services review. Notification to employee is processed by the college/division and must be completed in a timely manner (recommended within two days of receipt of official HRS notification). In order to assist with the notification, HRS has created a template for both the denied and approved determinations.

What is Position Management?

Position management is a significant aspect of each supervisor and manager's personnel management responsibility. It is the process of determining the type of organizational structure that is required to fulfill the goals assigned to a particular unit; how many positions are needed, and how positions and the relationships among them should be designed in order to function efficiently and economically.

Position management is a component of strategic planning and is closely tied to sensible personnel and budget planning. In order to facilitate the planning process, the position management cycle has been designed to coincide with the university budget cycle which normally runs from March through June of each calendar year.

Position Management FAQs

What is Compensation and Classification?

Compensation and Classification is the function of Human Resources that works to maintain a compensation structure that meets the needs of the university by evaluating appropriate markets to keep us externally and internally competitive, within financial feasibility.